TOM T. HALL WEIGHS HIS THOUGHTS ON THE SONGS ON 'REAL':

1. I WASHED MY FACE IN THE MORNING DEW
I've always felt this was a good song. I originally wrote it for Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and when they didn't do it I was happy to have it as my first record release. It was inspired by an old folk medicine tale that if you wash your face in the morning dew it will help remove blemishes from your skin. I changed the story around to mean that the morning dew would purify your soul. The record made it into the top thirty, pretty good for a first! I apprecia te Brother John choosing it for his performance here. "... Someday times are bound to change, it can't be very far, And each injustice I have seen will come before the bar. And then I'll wash my face in the morning dew, bathe my soul in the sun, Wash my face in the morning dew and my journey will be done."

2. THAT'S HOW I GOT TO MEMPHIS
This song idea started out as "How I Got To Nashville" but Memphis was a much prettier sounding name. In addition to myself, it has done well for several artists including Deryl Dodd, Bobby Bare, Roseanne Cash, Buddy Miller and of course Charlie Sizemore whose recording topped international bluegrass charts for about a year and a half. "... I haven't eaten a bite, Or slept for three days and nights. That's how I got to Memphis. That's how I got to Memphis."

3. WHEN LOVE IS GONE
I don't remember how I came to write "When Love Is Gone". I guess it really did go! However, I sure do like this version by Richard Buckner.

4. DON'T FORGET THE COFFEE BILLY JOE
"Don't Forget The Coffee Billy Joe" is a flat out true story about my family. R.B.'s version is magic.

5. COFFEE, COFFEE, COFFEE
My addiction - if you'd ever spent any time around me you'd know.

6. OLD ENOUGH TO WANT TO (FOOL ENOUGH TO TRY)
"Old Enough To Want To" is another little darlin' song. A ballad in the best honky tonk tradition. "... I hope that smile that you have on your lips Is just a smile that you wear all the time. If it's somethin' special, then start thinkin' up your lies, I'm old enough to want to, but fool enough to try."

7. SHIPS GO OUT
"Ships Go Out" is a tribute to those of my dear friends who have passed on. I was at our house on St. George Island watching the boats put out to sea when the idea was born.

8. I MISS A LOT OF TRAINS
"I Miss A Lot Of Trains" was written from a line I overheard at an airport. A fellow passenger remarked that he missed a lot of planes. I took it from there. Iris DeMent's version is awesome. "... I sleep good and I miss a lot of trains. That one-way track to no-man's love I'll never ride again. I used to lie awake like you, callin' out your name. Now I sleep good and I miss a lot of trains."

9. TULSA TELEPHONE BOOK
I got the idea for "Tulsa Telephone Book" from the old quip "Have you read any good telephone books lately?"

10. HARPER VALLEY P.T.A.
This spark was kindled in my brain by a young woman who stormed into town and blessed out the P.T.A. She "took on" the establishment. The song sold over 6 million copies for Jeannie C. Riley and in 1997 was an international hit for Billy Ray Cyrus.

11. SPOKANE MOTEL BLUES
When the folks in Spokane heard this song they invited me back and gave me a key to the city to show me what a great town it really is!

12. HOMECOMING
This song is autobiographical. I would come home and try to explain to my father in his later years what I was doing. I didn't know what I was doing, so how could I explain it to him? Nobody had ever done it the way I was doing it. This extremely plausible conversation between father and son is only heard through the son's responses to his father's questions. The song was a #5 chart hit and is still one of my most requested numbers. "... You heard my record on the radio; oh, well, it's just another song. But I've got a hit recorded and it'll be out on the market Œfore too long. I got this ring in Mexico and no, it didn't cost me quite a bunch. When you're in the business that I'm in, the people call it puttin' up a front."

13. THE WATER LILY
"The Water Lily" I got from a poem by the legendary Australian poet, Henry Lawson. Ralph Stanley and I had the first record on it. Here, for yet another fine performance, he is joined by his son Ralph Stanley, II. Thank you Dr. Ralph!

14. I'M NOT READY YET
Both one of George Jones' and my favorite songs.

15. CANDY IN THE WINDOW
I've always felt this song will be a big hit and I hope that this cut by Mary Cutrufello will be it. It certainly should be ­ the lady is superb.

16. I HOPE IT RAINS AT MY FUNERAL
I still feel there's a lot to be said for this theory!

17. IT SURE CAN GET COLD IN DES MOINES
A true story.

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